Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-07-23

And vvav7 - ears to follow them.
Il viii give vc gIve me the money!"
20 hang but I viii not"
The our moralizingl"
aroHgb epheW rushed abruptly away
loked he outer office. Involuntary ]
gls up as he passed me, and received
a. Lnce-such a lookl Hate and rage
, transformed his face into the likeness
4 a demon. In q moment Mr.. Syminglon
came out and took several turns across the
room.
Lambert" he said-and 1 thought his
voice trembled a httle-sI have seen that
you are not the kind Of boy that needs con-
tinual approval to stimulate him to do his
duty; and that discovery has gratihed me as
much as to know that you are faithful and
industrious. My boy, you know am not
much given to open praise; but this once,
at least, 1 VIII speak OF you and to you as
you deserve. 1 am more than pleased with
you. / am proud Of you. You have done
exceedingly we'll
His censure could not have brought the
tears to my eyes as quickly as did these Un-
expected words. tried to thank him, but
my voice was choked, and I could only
look what ] felt.
The clock struck six, and we went to-
gether into the rear office 70 close the
daily given me the combination with which
he closed and opened it, explaining that in
case Of accident to him 1t would be con-
venient, perhaps necessary, for me to have
it. His habit was to whisper the new COM
bination to me; / would whisper it over to
him TO insure accuracy, and then would
watch the indicator on the safe door while
he was turning the knob. All this was
done on this evening, as usual. When
four hours later I went TO bed, various
emotions kept me awake till midnight.
Surprise at the discovery Of Waters de-
prayity was mingled with sympathy for his
uncle, but deep satisfaction on account Of
the commentator had received was up
permOst in my thoughts.
The sleep that at last came was rudely
broken. A glare Of light full in my eyes
awakened me. AS 1 sat upright in bed a
pistol was held close TO my forehead, and
an unknown voice said:
~Silence-not a cry-or you're a dead
boy!"
And then, after an interval Just
long enough to allow me to comprehend
Get up and come below, without noise.
You've got to open the safe for us"
The instant that was permitted me to
look showed me two masked men standing
Dy my bed, one holding dark lantern, tue
other the pistol. Like a flash the purpose
before me. Quite often the safe contained
amounts Of money; not often
as much as ten thousand dollars, which ]
knew Mr.. SymingtOn had placed there
about four o'clock of the previous after
noon, having been too late for the bank.
And now IL was through me that he was to
be despoiled Of this great sum; I was to be
the agent, though the unwilling one, in the
plumber OF him whom 1 loved better than
all else on earthi My resolution was taken
On the instant. would seem to comply,
and gain time for escape. Let me not be
I certainly had not cour-
age or GOODNESS beyond the average Of boys
Of seventeen, and the cold muzzle of the
pistol at my head made me shudder all
over. But my heart was filed with devo-
ton to my patron; and seeming to feel his
kind hand on my shoulder, think would
have died before opening the safe for those
men.
Don't hurt me, said, putting my fee
on the floor. "Iu show YOU"
"Wel, now, If you amt a sensible youn'
Teller, said the man with the pistol. FOL
low the chap with the light"
The stairs were in the corner near the
head Of the bed, and a few PAGES brought
us to them. did not know whether the
man behind me was still holding the pistol
to my head; 1 hoped that my words and
manner had thrown him OF his guard. AS
the man in front held up his lantern to
show US the way struck it from his hand
with a sudden blow. 1t rolled down the
and we were in darkness. Dart
ing past the rutian behind me, my night
dress brushing him, 1 gained the lumber
room, my knowledge Of its exact location
enabling me to lay my hand quickly
upon the latch. / heard a curse and
the snap of the pistol; the cartridge missed
FIRE. With frantic haste 1 slammed
=
shot the bolt. Then / sank TO the floor,
weak and trembling. But 1 knew that 1
was safe; 1 could Chamber over the old fur
niture, get to the front windows, break out
the glass if they could not be raised, and
sound an alarm that would bring help long
before the robbers could break down
the door-even if they dared TO risk the
noise. All this doubtless occurred to them,
for they did not make the trial. With my
ear to the door 1 heard their muttered talk,
with now and then an oath from the man
with the pistol that sounded like the sup
pressed grOWl Of a wild beast. Then /
heard their feet on the stairs, and a few
minutes later on the pavement outside.
/ would not yet take the risk of return
ing to my chamber, for the departure
of the men might be only a STRAIT
agem to draw me back into their
clutches. Wrapping myself up in the old
carpets, lay down and waited, slespless,
for daylight. So painfully slow it seemed
in comingl but 1t came at last. Still, /
would not venture out. ! waited another
hour; waited, until 1 heard the continual
rattle Of carts and wagons, and the tread Of
early passers. Then 1 went back to my
room, put on my clothes, bathed my head.
which was thrObbing with the reaction Of
the strain / had endured, and went down
stairs Doors and windows were securely
fastened by Whatever means the burglars
had entered, they had not left a trace Of
their attempt behind. opened the front
door and looked out. Walter Brand sat
upon the stone step. He looked mp and
showed me his face, wild and haggard, and
his eyes bloodshot.
Let me come in" he said. al want to
speak to you"
He followed me into the private Office
and sat down. stood before him, waiting
for him to speak.
I haven't treated you well. Lambert, " he
said.
aTm glad that you know it,
was my reply, Shut it is
small matter. You have injured an
other more deeply"
. He looked gnIiOusly in my face; he
must have seen there detection, discovery,
condemnation!
How did you find it Out?" he asked in a
hoarse whisper.
1T was very simple. On one of the fin
gers Of the hand from which struck the
dark lanternI saw the large seal-ring, with
the blue onyx stone, that you wear"
1t is all over with me, then, he said. Il
have suffered the torments Of the doomed
since that hOurl / hoped you did not know;
1 shook on that rufians and walked the
streets, with my conscience shifting me at
every step, promising God that if this last
horrible sin did not ind me out, would
repent and reform. But It is not to be so.
Go for an officer; have not strength to es-
cape, If i wished to. Send me to the pene-
I deserve it.
"if you truly mean what you have Just